Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-23
BUFFALO BILLS LONG RIDE.
The Exasperating Mule.

From the London Globe.
On returning from long ride, in which had
been much harrassed by the Indians, was one
night accosted by curtis, the chief OF the scouts
| who was In difficulty. The general was anx-
ious to send some dispatches to Gen. Sheridan at
| Fort Hays, some so miles OF. The scouts
available did not freeze on to the Job. They
urged that they were not sufficiently well ac-
quainted with the country to go by night. The
dispatch was Important and SO Curtis came to
me and asked me, II was not too tired, to vOlun-
teer. 1t was rather ticklish piece of work. The
whole country was lined by Indians 1t was
dark night ana a storm was threatening. How
ever, the dispatches had to be sent of, and so I
assented, bargaining only that should be pro
| vided with the best mount in the fort. This was
readily assented to, the scouts took fond farewell
or me- ana with their wishes for success ringing
IN my ears. set out on my long ride
The night was dark as pitch, but this gave me
all the better chance OF escaping the Indians. My
greatest danger was lest my horse should stumble
In a hole and run away, leaving me on the prairie
10 prevent such catastrophe ued az one END OF OF
| my belt, wise precaution for within few miles
my horse fell twice in prairie dogs holes and got
when he got to the length OF the lariat he dis
covered that he was picketed to Bison Bill, which
proceeded through The night, and reached
Walnut Greek, % miles out, In good time. It was
here that met with my. first adventure. Going
slowly through the darkness, suddenly found
myself In the midst OF number OF horses, which,
becoming frightened, speedily moved of In all
directions. l knew at once that was near In
dians, so without waiting to apologize. cleared
out as quickly as possible. Just as thought my
self clear, q dog barked few yards away, and
| then heard some redskins talking. They did
| more than talk, too. They mounted their mus
| tangs and gave chase. ! urged my horse to full
OF life
1 continued my way for several miles in a
straight course. and l pushed on toward Smoky
Hill River. reached this point soon after O'Clock
| in the morning, and then pushing nOrthward
| struck the old santa Fe trail 10 miles from Fort
| Hays just as day was breaking. Arrived at the
post soon AFT er reveille made straight for Gen.
| eral Sheridan's headquarters, ana presented my
dispatches h 81, IN pesSon and was most cordially Ie
| seen that my horse was well cared for, thought l
would proceed to take little rest. 1t was, how
ever not TO be, for was suddenly sent for by the
general, who wished to see Inc. AS approached
| headquarters noticed Il numberOf scouts grouped
something important. and | soon learned what
this was. General sheridan desired to send an i'm
portant dispatch to Fort Dodge, distance OF
30 miles, Volunteers were requested, but none
responded The general told Inc this, and what
could do?
general 1 said, eff there is no one ready to
volunteer, Ill carry your dispatches myself"
| The general expressed himself greatly pleased at
my offer, but at the same time said that he had
| not Thought or asking me 10 undertake the duty,
| as had been fully hard-wOrked already. But it
was very important that the dispatches should go.
IF you don't get courier by o'clock this after
noon I'll do the business, Il responded "but must
have a fresh horse, and meantime will take little
rest" 1t was not much rest that got, but punctu-
| ally at o'clock l announced myself ready, and,
| mounting fresh horse started on the road. l
| crossed Smoky Hill River at dark and 1t was just
daylight as rode up to Sam Log crossing, on the
Pawnee Fork, where a company OF colored cavalry
were posted. under Maj. Cox. Here got fresh
horse and, continuing my lonely ride, covered the
! remaining % miles to Fort Dodge, and arrived
soon after9 O'Clock, without having seen single
| Indian
Having delivered my dispatches and rested an
hour was informed that the commander wished
to send some dispatches to Fort Larned. my own
post. !, OF cVlrse, readily undertook to Carry
these. and my offer was gladly accepted by the
general, provided thought could stand the
trip after my recent fatigue"
| "Au want is a fresh horse, SIR" said.
Here was the difficulty. There was not such
thing as decent horse available, the only animals
TO be had being Government mules, OF which there
! was large choice. 1made no difficulty about
| this. "Trot out your mue,"I said, "and / am
| ready now.'
The mule was rapidly forthcoming and at dark
/ started once more on the road for Fort Larned,
and proceeded without interruption to Coon Creek,
30 miles from Fort Dodge.
Here disnounted and led my mule to pool to
give him some water. 1 also stood myself drink,
using my hat for dipper, and while engaged In
procuring this refreShlHent my mule suddenly
Jerked on and ambled away down to the creek.
Then 1t flashed across my mind that, in the hurry
OF departure, had omitted to make my larat fast
| to him, and that he was at large
l followed him gently, in the hopes of getting
stop. He did not. He made straight for the wagon
roau but instead OF making for Fort Dodge, as
expected he would, he turned toward Fort Larned,
and logged merrily along with most happy and
uucOncerned air. Several times l succeeded in
getting just up to him, when he would put on
squirt and go ahead easy, Stacking down as soon as
| him with my gun, which fortunately held in my
hand but the report would have probably brought
| the Indians down on me- and as he was, BESIDES
company for Inc, refrained And thus the mule
marched on, and followed on roOt-cursing.
| From Coon Creek TO Fort Larned Is 30 miles, and
| We-that Is, the mule and mySelf-made pretty
| good time. There was nothing TO hold the mule,
and was striving hard tocatch him-whch urged
him ON. In addition to the excitement or this pc
destrian competition, had the knowledge that
might any moment be pounced on by Indians, and
| have my hair lifted.
mule. Just as day began to break found our
selves still in the same order procession on hill
looking down on to the valley OF Puwnee Fort with
Fort Larned looming in the distance and as sur
| veyed the scene, and the mule surveyed me- the
morning gun belched forth half mile away.
| We took stock OF each other with expressions of
| mutual d1StruSt. Then, addressing my opposite
| ne1ghbor, spoke:
''Times up, said, "and It's my turn. am
| deeply indebted to you for your company, but we
| must part" Then raised my gun to my shoulder
and blazed away, hitting the beast ON the hip In
| Sertlng a second cartridge fired into him again.
and twice more, until at last he lay stretched out
| nice and comfortable. Like all Government mules
| he was tough one, and died hard.
| My shots brought out the troops and when they
learned what mad happened they all said 1t served
him right. | then walked into headquarters
and delivered my dispatches, and received
the compliments OF the general. 1 proceeded
! to put In some hours or solid sleep and
then left that same night for Fort Hays with more
dispatches, which ] delivered early the next
| morning to General Sheridan. My record OF these
rides is as follows: Fort Larned TO Fort Hayes to
| miles, in II hours; Fort Hays to Fort Dodge 80
miles, In the succeeding twenty-rOur hours: Fort
Dodge To Fort Larned, 30 miles ON mule 30 miles
of mule, the same night, and back to Fort Hays
TO miles, the neXt-tOJal, .,95 miles, over rough
country, infested by hostile Indians, without any
definite interval OF rest
| ON arriving at Fort Hays / was highly comp-
mented by Gen. Sheridan on my achievement.
cody, he said, 81 have decided To appoint you
guide and CHIEF Of scouts, with the command"
| And thus IL was l came to be chief OF scouts
United States Army.
CULTIvATING COFFEE.-There is needed q rich
soil, plenty OF water and perfect Shade; for the
coffee plant cannot stand direct sun-rayS any
more than cold. Just before the rainy season.
seeds are planted in peculiar diagonal lines so as
over TO a farmers care FOR five years He at once
plants banana trees beside them, which answer a
double purpose Of shading the tender growth and
| OF producing quick returns. Meanwhile the
slower growing bucare which is permanent Is
planted and by the time the coffee IS large enough
| TO bear Is ready to shield 1t for life The owner
now takes possession OF his estate and il begins to
YIELD continuing for thirty years or more with an
average annual product OF ten pounds To Il tree.
About the middle OF March IT is in full blossom
bearing pretty white daisy shaped Hover, with
half dozen lanceOlate leaves ana a delicate va
nilla perfume The fruit or berry containing two
coffee beans lying face TO face like cheStnutS in
burr, HpenS early In autumn, when 1t Is picked.